Honoured Leek target step up

Leek Town have won the Staffordshire FA's 2012 Charter Standard Development Club Award and are now setting their sights on earning the Football Association's top community award.

The club will be presented with the honour on Saturday 4 August at Burton Albion ahead of the Brewers' home friendly with Walsall.

Town say their next objective is to achieve 'Charter Standard Community' status in the season ahead, the FA's top community honour.

Blues say their Charter Standard Co-Ordinator, Dennis Bates, will once again play a prominent role in the club's bid to reach the highest level.

That process has already started through the work of Leek's Community Development officer Steve Kell, the club demonstrating their commitment to the community at large with key policies such as free entry for junior players and children to Evo-Stik NPL fixtures.

"The move has transformed the club," said Chairman Andy Wain whose son Ryan plays in the club's thriving junior ranks, now numbering 19 sides.

The foundations for Leek Town becoming a Charter Standard club were laid in 2009-10 when Tracy Reynolds and Barbara Hermiston assisted by Andy Taylor and other players, started a football creche for 6-8 year olds.

Other teams were soon formed and the 2010-11 season saw ten teams ranging from U7s to U16s playing in Leek Town's colours.

After Charter Standard status was achieved, season 2011-12 saw the former Ashcombe Park teams and two others joining as well to make nineteen junior sides in all.

The season also saw the development of links with The Meadows School in Leek and the involvement of some of its older pupils on match days at Harrison Park. A team is being formed from these pupils and the club is also seeking to develop girls and women's football in 2012-13.